Managing Illustrator Panel/Window Layouts When Switching Between External Monitor & MacBook Display

Hi guys,

I have been using a dual-screen setup for some time, with Adobe Illustrator as my primary software. I have a 13″ MacBook Pro which, as most would agree, is not the most accommodating size for graphic design. To improve usability, I use a 43″ LG IPS display at my office, which provides an excellent working environment. However, when working from home, I am limited to the MacBook’s 13″ screen.

While the reduction in screen size is challenging enough, a more persistent issue is the disorganisation of my Illustrator panels and windows. They often scatter across the screen, requiring manual repositioning. On occasion, they disappear entirely off-screen, making them difficult or impossible to retrieve, though this only happens rarely.

My question is: is there a reliable way to manage or automatically restore panel layouts when switching between different screen setups? Similarly, when I return to the office and reconnect the external display, I have to manually reposition everything again. It would be helpful to know if there’s a more efficient way to handle this.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you